Trains on the Brain. . . .

Trains, trains and more trains were on the brain today.

Lowe's had a Build and Grow Clinic this a.m. and the boys were delighted to make wooden trains.

Thanks to their big brothers they were able to work through the process and build their projects. The building area was pretty crowded so these two chose to work on the floor.


These two found a corner to build their project and got right to work. After the trains were completed we headed over to the local museum and visited the model train exhibit on display for Christmas.
This gentleman was kind enough to show Thomas how to work the controls for the entire layout. He must have the patience of a saint. Thomas was delighted and could barely keep from grabbing the controls.
He was delighted to watch the trains go around and around the layout. It really held his attention and interest.
Andrew barely tolerated having his photo taken but he loved watching the trains. Maybe we should build one like this at home! I think I know just the place in the house for it.

Christmas is Coming!

Gary brought home the Christmas tree and started in on decorating. First thing you need is a couple of really good helpers.

Then you gather around the tree for a post decorating photo. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get everyone around the tree for a photo. What a crazy bunch!
A few soap bubbles and a Santa hat add to the festivities.

Beautiful Cousin

At Thanksgiving time, my beautiful cousin came for a visit from her home in Washington. She is such a pleasure to be around. When we heard she would be in town for a few days, we hurried over to see her and just hang out for a while.

Everyone wanted in the photos with Michelle and we cherish our time together. She is an inspiration to my teens as they sort through some of life challenges.
Just check out those happy faces. We love you, Michelle!

Veteran's Day 2010

Each Veteran's Day, Boy Scout Troop 132 works very hard helping out with the parade and Band-O-Rama to make sure things go a little smoother. This year they were joined by some boys from Troop 152 to get the numbers up to get the work done.

They meet at the Veteran's Hall at 5:30a.m. for breakfast with the veteran's. After thanking the veterans for their service, the boys headed out to the parade route where they set up barriers, fetched and carried for a variety of reasons then walked the parade route several times carrying banners and helping out.


At lunch time, everyone meets at the college stadium to prepare for Bandorama and have a quick lunch before working the event. Thanks to the moms-a hot lunch is provided for everyone although the seating arrangements are pretty casual.
No one goes hungry and everyone has plenty to eat before heading off to the event.
The carry a huge-King Kong flag around the stadium, escort the princesses and queen, help move benches and other props. It's a very long day for a terrific group of scouts.

Thanks guys for all the community service you do. You're a terrific asset to our community.

Entry to the Lego contest

Funny Santa in his sleigh with his elf in the back. Created especially for the Lego contest to create a holiday decoration for your home. Prize is $100.00 gift card for Legos! Wish us luck!

WE LOVE PEZ!

First time to take a photo of the Pez collection. These little things topple just like dominoes. Guess I'll have to find a stand or something to keep them standing up.
When the kiddos were little we would occasionally pick up a Pez as we were out and about. Over the years, the collection continues to grow. Always a big hit at our house.

Rifle Merit Badge

What a handsome guy instructing the boy scouts in the care and cleaning of a rifle!

Gary was the lead for the Rifle Merit Badge this October. He spent a few meetings instructing the boys in firearm safety, the rules and regulations of firearm shooting, care and cleaning of a rifle as well as several other requirements from the Boy Scouts of America merit badge book. Finally the big day arrived and the troop headed out to the local police shooting range.
Everyone had to wear their eye and ear protection and shoot from a prone position.
Lots of parents and leaders were on hand to ensure good, safe behavior while they took turns shooting.
Here's the group of boys that are working on completing the merit badge. Lucky guys to get to spend the day at the range!

Locks of Love

Morgan chose to be the team captain for the Relay for Life Cancer Walk this year. She worked hard getting donations and putting a team of walkers together to walk around the high school track for 24 hours in order to raise funds for finding a cure a cancer. Part of her effort was the donation of her long, blonde hair to Locks of Love. This was a real sacrifice for her as she loves her long hair. But I'm proud to say she toughed it out. . . .
had her hair cut which they handed to her in two ponytails
and she lived to tell about it. Now she is adjusting to having short hair-the first time since she was about seven years old. I'm so proud of her efforts to fight cancer and hopefully someone will enjoy a beautiful new wig with her hair in it. I love you Morgan girl!

First Day of School 2010

The annual first day of school photo. At least they were somewhat cooperative in this one and everyone did have shoes on for a few minutes. Interesting when you homeschool how tough it is to get everyone "dressed to their shoes". Gary was even home for the big day. I love this family so very much!

Who had the camera AGAIN??????

Just located the camera along with the evidence. 95 plus photos of one subject!
HMMMMM. . . .I wonder who had my camera????? Who ME????
Couldn't be. . . .
Grrrr. . . caught again!

Blog, blog, blog, blog, blog, blog!

So once again, I can't find the camera and I suppose someone has "borrowed" it again. It will show up with the culprits photos on it, I'm sure.

Meanwhile, I'm in the mood to blog and actually have about 5 seconds to do so.

Highlights of our lives:
Christin was selected for the lead in the play "Our Town". She plays Emily and is very excited. Lots of hard work ahead-shows are throughout the month of October.

Morgan was able to go to Idaho with her grandparents to visit my sister. Lucky girl! Wish we could all go.

Ray and James have started high school this year and so far, so good. Lots of BS activities coming up so I hope they can keep up.

Andrew is starting kindergarten. Wow, big step. He's even starting to learn to read.

Thomas can sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "I Can Feel the Pressure"-children learn a wide variety of music when they have older siblings.

Gary has a dog trial coming up that he is looking forward to. Hope I get a few photos of him and Seven!

Me-I just cook and do the laundry (when the washing machine is working)--oh, and drive everyone everywhere. I think we live in the car!

Have a fun and fantastic day!!!!!

Boy Scout Troop Church Cleanup

The Boy Scout Troop has a charter through one of our local churches so when the church asked for help with a clean up, our troop can out to help.

Lots of leaves and debris had to be picked up and taken to the dumpster.

Expect this dumpster will be overflowing by the end of the day.

Water supplies always come in handy when you are doing yardwork.
Great job boys!

Stick out that Tongue!

Thomas is learning to color and really loves to use the crayons. A little help from Grandpa Jim doesn't hurt either.
In case you need a little more concentration, just stick out your tongue. It really helps with the artwork!

Guess who got their hand on my camera yet again?????

Hmmmmm. . .this makes my job so difficult. I wonder who borrowed the camera again!

Thomas is Three Years Old!

Thomas turned three years old in July. He shares a birthdate with my Uncle Jimmy so we celebrated their birthday together with a food, friends, family and a pinata.

Uncle Jimmy is a fabulous fisherman so he had no trouble catching a fish using Thomas' new fishing game!

Thomas with his birthday cake with three candles!

The birthday boys sharing a photo while eating birthday cake.

Mineral King--Sawtooth Peak

Gary and the boys from Boy Scout Troop 132 hiked to Mineral King and climbed to the top of Sawtooth Peak at 12,000 ft elevation. They stopped and camped at Monarch Lake along the way.
Boys on the climb.
Amazingly beautiful area that we live near. Makes you want to move to the mountains.

Here's the crew that climbed to the peak of 12,000+ ft.-one of the leaders is taking the photo so there were 10 in all.